So Much 'Murica: USA Baseball Jersey Design Contest Part I

By Phil Hecken, on March 19th, 2017

By Phil Hecken

Well, you guys absolutely OUTDID yourselves on this latest contest. When I announced the “Redesign the USA Baseball Jersey” contest last weekend, I expected maybe 20 entries, of varying quality. Boy, was I wrong.

I received more than 100 entries from 54 different contestants. That’s FAR too many to run in one sitting. I was just going to run them, hope you guys made a few comments, and then we’d move on. But, after seeing the effort that went into all these, here’s what we’re gonna do: 54 divided by three equals 18, which is a very solid number to run at a time — so there will be a total of three separate parts to the contest. After speaking to my friend Sarah, she said “you’re going to have voting, right?” I hadn’t planned on it, especially since there are no prizes to be offered. But, then I thought, despite the extra effort (but since the voting will only be for “pride”), I decided, why not…let’s let the readers have some fun with it as well.

So…here’s how it’s gonna work. I’ll run these IN THE ORDER THEY WERE RECEIVED. They will be run in six sets of NINE (two sets today, and then the next four next weekend, in two separate posts). After each set of nine, we’ll vote on the best from that set. The top two vote getters from each set will move on to the finals, so we’ll narrow it down to the top 12 (two from each of the six sets). After all the finalists are chosen, we’ll have one final vote to determine the best redesign.

I was amazed at the breadth and depth of the entries — some of you went with classic, or throwback-ish designs, others of you (as I’d hoped and suspected) went FULL America. Many were in between. But they were all good to excellent, and almost every one of them is decidedly better than what the USA has been wearing (and will continue to wear against Japan on Tuesday, since they won, and defeated defending champs Dominican Republic, last night). Let’s hope someone at USA Baseball takes a good look at this contest and decides to contact one of you for a possible redesign. They couldn’t do any worse.

So, enough of my yakking — here’s the first set of nine, after which there will be voting (you can vote for any number of the entries, but you can only vote once); so write down your favorite(s) and then pick your winner(s) for this bracket. After this set, we’ll repeat the process for the second nine.

If an entrant has sent in more than one design, I’m going to run the entire set below. You’re going to be voting on the ENTIRETY of the set, so keep that in mind. You can click to enlarge the images below. Some folks provided writeups, some did not — but in the interest of keeping this manageable, no writeups are provided. The designs should stand on their own.

And that’s it for today. Great stuff, yes? And there’s a lot more of that to come. Make sure you voted in BOTH polls. The top two from each poll will advance to the final round.

Let all the concepters know what you think in the comments below!

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In Case You Missed It…Paul’s Latest ESPN Piece

Between assorted makers’ marks and the many iterations of the MLB logo (including the Majestic and MLB logos on the pants, as shown here), today’s ballplayers are wearing more logos than ever before. Paul’s latest ESPN article examines how these logos have spread across the uniform over the past generation, and assesses which ones are relatively harmless and which are more odious.

If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, here ya go. Definitely worth the read if you haven’t already.

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OK, it’s a couple days early, but…

As most of you know, tomorrow is the first day of spring (usually it lands on the 21st, but what’re ya gonna do…it’s a day early this year). Now, that’s significant because usually the first day of spring ALSO coincides with the birth of our founder, Paul Lukas. I’ll be sure to check back in on the 21st to wish him a big fat happy on the actual anniversary of his birth, but since I ain’t workin’ that day…I’m also gonna take the time to wish him an early birthday on here.

So, to the best boss a guy could EVER have (and I do mean that sincerely), as well as a great and true friend — Happy Birthday, Paul. I hope it’s the best one you ever had.

And…normally (and especially after the winter we’ve had), I would be rejoycing for a first FULL day of spring forecast like this…

…but I will be sorely disappointed if a little rain doesn’t fall.

Interesting high temp predicted, if you know what I mean.

And if you don’t know why I’m hoping for some rain…be sure to check back Tuesday.

NFL News: Obsessed with equipment and willing to take some hits along the way, a self-taught tinkerer became the go-to guy for some of the NFL’s biggest stars when it comes to a crucial piece of equipment: shoulder pads (from Jason Hillyer). … We bemoan helmet striping today that covers holes and extends over bumpers, but check out this photo from Steve B. Creations of an old Denver Broncos helmet. Looks like the stripes weren’t cut off back then either! Steve adds, “never seen that done before.” … Tony Jefferson will wear #21 for the Ravens, a number previously occupied by the recently cut Ladarius Webb (from Andrew Cosentino). … Here are some neat USFL pennants (from Dr. Paul Durkee).

College Football News: We all know Jimmer Vilk loves short shorts, so the question must be asked, “would you wear these”? Check out Baylor Football wearing what looks like hemmed version of white game pants to kick off spring practice (from Bear Droppings BU). … Hmmm, should Florida go “Golden State style” with their old logo & unis (from Katherine Miller via WB Young).

And that’s it for today. Big thanks to ALL the entrants in the Redesign the USA Baseball contest. Good luck to the first 18 today. Make sure you vote (in BOTH sections). I’ll have the final entrants next weekend.

Everyone have a great week — especially a certain fella on Tuesday. I’ll catch you next weekend. But until then…

32 comments to So Much ‘Murica: USA Baseball Jersey Design Contest Part I

Jerry|
March 19, 2017 at 7:58 am |

The Admirals didn’t wear green, it was their opponents the Iowa Wild who wore the green. The Ads player is in the front of the picture, wearing white.

DJ|
March 19, 2017 at 8:14 am |

Sorry to say…I couldn’t bring myself to vote for any of the USA Baseball concepts. Whether it was too much red, or a silly logo, or the strange use of “United States” or “America” on the jersey, orjust a bad overall concept, each entry had something that made me reject it. Perhaps I’m getting crotchety on my declining years.

Sweet Lee|
March 19, 2017 at 10:18 am |

I think it’s just a tough idea to work with. It can’t be too understated, because of what it is, but it’s very easy to make it gaudy without intending to. That said, I saw a sum total of 3 designs out of 18 that I like more than the current set, and enjoyed some of the “Super ‘Merica” ones even if I could never vote for them.

Taxman|
March 19, 2017 at 12:19 pm |

Nothing jumps out at me. Abstaining from this vote.

Steve Naismith|
March 19, 2017 at 12:34 pm |

Agreed. Frankly, all of them look terrible. The first one in particular must be a joke.

Chris Weber|
March 20, 2017 at 1:55 pm |

Also abstaining. Thank you.

Brian|
March 19, 2017 at 8:24 am |

I believe FOSNOB is considered an initialism, not an acronym.

Adam|
March 19, 2017 at 8:50 am |

Bieber only guy to rock a full uni set while playing pick up. Also wears custom kings jersey with quick on the back playing forward in beer league hockey.

JoeyJoeJoe Junior Shabadoo|
March 19, 2017 at 8:52 am |

Love the designs, especially the fun/silly ones. Games are supposed to be fun and I really appreciate when uniforms reflect that.

Mangler|
March 19, 2017 at 9:33 am |

It’s hard for me to endorse any of those uniform designs for Olympic or WBSC (World Baseball Softball Confederation, the world governing body) play, but for the World Baseball Classic, anything goes, and all designs are fair game; I have my preference(s).

Special K|
March 19, 2017 at 10:13 am |

I love the use of “America” on the front of Trey Glickman’s jersey and just “States” on Trayton Miller’s road jersey. When it comes down to an actual jersey to be worn on the field, I’d probably just go with “USA”, but as concepts, I love them.

Kevin|
March 19, 2017 at 11:47 am |

Oh crap was that today?

Me too, I had planned to do an entry and one idea was “America” across the front – just to be different. I was thinking a cream “declaration” color too.

Glad someone else used part of that.

Will S|
March 19, 2017 at 10:25 am |

Contest was referred to at least once as a Jersey & Cap Redesign Project so I just did jerseys and caps.
Not sure if the lack of pants and socks hurt me a bit, the different styles of my three sets, the “softball tops”, the last minute flippant choices for NOB for the 1st 3 jerseys. More likely it was all just the works themselves (I’m no artist – graphic or otherwise).
Just the luck of the draw that I got put in what I think is the stronger group of the two today. Didn’t ever think I’d be in the top two and “moving on”; but also didn’t think I’d be in a ‘battle for the basement’ for my group.

Out of all of today’s entry I think I like Aaron Ganci’s entry the most. Only critique I can think of for that one is I think the font needs to be a bit thicker on the NOB. Great job Aaron!

Jim Vilk|
March 19, 2017 at 7:39 pm |

Yours was one of my four favorites, Will. Especially your third design with the vertical lettering.

As I went through the submissions my inner voice kept saying “Respect the placket!” I was hoping to see “USA” over the heart instead of the whole chest. With three letters you can do that and still have a big enough design.

Also really liked Stone, Cordes and Mayntz’.

Gabriel|
March 20, 2017 at 10:20 am |

I don’t think you should take the voting to heart. In both groups, I found my preferences were among the least popular. It looks to me like the majority of voters are looking for something that is pretty conventional and fairly similar in style to what the various WBC teams were wearing.

Put another way, you’ve got nice designs, but they don’t appear to be what the voters are looking for. Nothing wrong with that! Heck, when it comes to politics, I often find that the people with what I think are the best ideas get the fewest votes!

Dave|
March 19, 2017 at 10:29 am |

I really like Bryan Spangenberg’s set, though I wish he had used a slightly brighter shade of blue. And with the Yankees being “America’s Team” it makes a ton of sense for Team USA to sport pinstripes, so Andrew Stone’s design is my other favorite choice. Not a big fan of any in the second batch.

Dave|
March 19, 2017 at 10:34 am |

Thinking about it some more, if you invert the colors of the “USA” on Bryan’s home uni concept (navy letters with red trim) and added pinstripes, that would really be the ultimate!

Brent|
March 19, 2017 at 12:48 pm |

I was going to say the same thing. Clearly the best by a mile. I like the red too but also would like to see a blue pinstripe addition as well. Good job Bryan.

Mark K|
March 19, 2017 at 10:38 am |

Apostrophe!

Wade Heidt|
March 19, 2017 at 10:43 am |

Have to point out a correction in the Sportsnet article in the ticker about Toronto St. Pats uniforms:

“The last time Toronto’s NHL team regularly wore green and were known as the St. Pats was in the 1926-27 NHL season – one in which they failed to make the playoffs. After that, Conn Smythe bought them and changed the name to the Maple Leafs.”

To correct their statement, Conn Smythe bought the team and changed their name to Maple Leafs DURING the 1926-27 season, not after. They played as the green-and-white clad Maple Leafs in February and March of 1927. Colour change to blue and white occurring for 1927-28 season.

Great work on USA baseball. Everyone. What I respect about UW is the open market of ideas. Well done artists!

RickAZ|
March 19, 2017 at 11:53 am |

Nicely done guys with the USA uniforms. I like the “USA” better than the abbreviated “US”, but I really liked just the “A” on Trey’s cap. Also I really liked the font of the “A” on Hungry’s cap. Also really liked the “AMERICA” on the jersey of Trey’s. What I thought might be really good is to just have an American flag on the hat. Or if you have letters on the hat, then maybe an American flag on the left chest over the heart.

I really hate the idea of breaking the entries down into groups like this. The best 3 concepts could easily end up in the same group and thus someone gets shafted. Just put them all out at once and let everyone vote for a top 10 or something and then do another vote after that.

Ryan M|
March 19, 2017 at 5:18 pm |

I was thinking the same thing (I personally thought the first group was stronger than the 2nd), but in the end, if I think design A is better than design G, it doesn’t matter which group they’re in, I’m voting for A 10 times out of 10.

mel23|
March 19, 2017 at 1:12 pm |

The “Uncle Sam as bad-ass ballplayer” patch is by far my favorite element in this design contest. Well done!

Derek|
March 19, 2017 at 1:19 pm |

I CANNOT stand the use of the reverse American flag on the right sleeve. The uniform is not a vehicle, so the standard stars in upper left corner flag may be used on either sleeve. And, if there’s any controversy about whether it is acceptable or not, just put the flag patch on the left sleeve. What’s the obsession with the right sleeve?

Skycat|
March 19, 2017 at 3:14 pm |

The shot of Mick with his high school basketball team was priceless.

Traxel|
March 19, 2017 at 6:36 pm |

Unlike what some of you are saying, I thought a great number of these were excellent. As JoeyJoe says these are supposed to be fun and many of them certainly are fun.

Kuras: I’d wear that hat for sure.
Spangenberg: Sox really pop well
Corcoran: Like the brighter blue
Stone: Nice classic look
Glikman: Cool logo, would like to see it on the left chest
Denver Gregg: Powder blue – YES!
Pass: Classic logo
Forosisky: Awesome eagle (with hot dog) and white back hat
Dusenberry: I like mismatching hat and sox (probably unlike most people)